Major League Baseball Player. For four seasons (1938 to 1941), he played at the second-base position with the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics. Born Benjamin Jenison McCoy, he attended high school in Grandville (Michigan), prior to signing with the Tigers and marked his Major League debut with Detroit on September 14th, 1938. For parts of two years he played in a limited role, but contributed a .302 batting average in 55 games during 1939. In a move that was unprecedented during that era, baseball commissioner Landis declared 91 of Detroit's minor league players (including McCoy) free agents. A bidding war over McCoy ensued, resulting with the Philadelphia Athletics signing him to a $45k contract, making he one of the highest payed Major League players of that time. After securing the starting second-base position, he produced a career-high 140 hits, with a .271 batting average in 1941. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater with the US Navy and upon his return home, McCoy failed to resume his Major League career, ending up playing in a semi-pro league. In 337 career regular season games, he compiled 327 hits with a .269 lifetime batting average. (bio by: C.S.)